Nestled in upstate South Carolina among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies the vibrant town of Greer—a place where charming brick-paved streets lead to chic boutiques, award-winning restaurants, and top-tier entertainment. It's a town rich in culture and steeped in history, perfect for a relaxing getaway or a scenic stroll…but this isn’t all Greer has to offer.
There’s another side of this small town – fast, fierce, and fueled by adrenaline – a world of extreme motorsports, where the pace quickens, your heart races, and your pulse pounds. Welcome to the Extreme Outlaw 4.90 Drag Racing Series, hosted this past weekend by the legendary Greer Dragway.
That’s right—drag racing smack dab in the middle of Greer’s rich heritage. Greer Dragway has been in operation since the early 1950s, but this isn’t any ol’ racetrack. Under the management of Mike Greer, it’s grown into more than a track—it’s a hometown feel, steeped in Southern hospitality.
What Is the Outlaw 4.90 Series?
This is heads-up drag racing at its finest – no handicap bracket racing here. Each driver runs on a 4.90-second dial-in and leaves the line off a .400 pro tree. The competition is as intense as it is entertaining.
Many of these competitors have been lining up against each other for years, building a tight-knit, family-like environment where fellowship and camaraderie run deep, and there is no shortage of helping hands if you need one. At most events, you'll find the group sharing breakfast at the track – some even arrive the night before just to hang out and share stories.
June 28 Recap: Tight Times and Big Thrills
This past weekend’s event (June 28) was no exception. Greer Dragway hosted the Outlaw 4.90s, and it was a show to remember.
After second-round qualifying, the top seven cars were separated by only 0.128 seconds! Jim Cairnes claimed the top qualifying spot with a 4.902 on his first pass. Despite the scorching summer heat and track temperatures soaring to 130°F, these racers tuned their thundering machines to deliver some of the best drag racing in the country.
Round 1 Matchups
- Roger Lester – Left Lane vs. Michael White (Larry Hipps Mustang) – Right Lane
Roger red-lit, giving the win to Michael, who powers down the track with a perfect 4.901 E.T.
- Jim Cairnes (Beautiful Ford) – Left Lane vs. Geoff Bagwell (Chevy II) – Right Lane
Jim gets the hole shot with a .014 reaction time over Geoff’s .066 and takes the win with an E.T. of 960 – edging out Geoff’s quicker 4.950.
- Joseph Bagwell – Left Lane vs. Charles Wright – Right Lane
Charles went red (-.003), giving Joseph the automatic win.
- Ronnie Strange – Bye Run
Ronnie drew a much-needed Bye Run after experiencing mechanical issues during his 2nd qualifying attempt. Despite a problem with one of his parachutes, he was able to break the beams and move on.
Round 2 Drama
- Michael White – Left Lane vs. Jim Cairnes – Right Lane
While both cars were a little late off the tree, Michael pulled off a respectable E.T. of 4.917 – taking the win over Jim’s 4.963.
We followed up with Jim after the race and learned that a Nitrous bottle pressure issue (during staging) caused him to abort the Nitrous use – hence the car’s slower 4.963 run.
- Ronnie Strange – Left Lane vs. Joseph Bagwell – Right Lane
Ronnie staged his Superman themed Ford Mustang in the left lane while Joseph rolled his all so familiar Super Sport Chevy in the beams in the right. As the Tree goes green Joseph gets a slight hole shot over Ronnie. The Mustang veers, pushing itself to the left and out of the groove – Ronnie fights hard to keep his machine in the center of the track but is forced to abort the run just as the Mustang comes close to kissing the left side wall. There’s just too much power in these hot rods!
During the commotion, Joseph’s Chevy has pulled away - but the race isn’t over. Unbeknownst to Joseph, a coolant system issue has released engine coolant inside the engine bay and all beneath his machine. With pressure on the brakes and tires covered in leaked coolant, Joseph suddenly finds himself completely out of control. He fights hard, sawing the steering wheel from one side to the other at over 130MPH; instinctively, Joseph grabs the parachute handle to deploy the chute. The fully bloomed chute snatched his car back into shape, avoiding the pending disaster.
Thanks to their many years of driving experience and no panic attitudes, both drivers walked away from this intense show down (with their cars) in one piece. After the dust settled - Joseph took the win with a 4.961 over Ronnie’s 5.249.
Final Round: Bagwell vs. White
It all came down to the number two (4.906) and number three (4.915) qualifiers. Joseph Bagwell and his Chevy powered machine in the left lane versus Michael White and his Jon Kasse powered Ford in the right lane. Joseph gets the hole shot with a razor-sharp .003 reaction time to Michael’s .035. Michael runs a faster E.T. of 4.916 to Joseph’s 4.943 but this one’s decided on the tree.
Bagwell takes the win at the stripe!
Join the Action
If you’ve got a car that can run a 4.90, you need to be part of this series. The next race is July 12th at Greer Dragway, and four more races remain on the schedule (Greer, Shadyside, Farmington, and back to Shadyside).
We're halfway through the season and already over $10,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs. By next season, the purse is expected to reach over $15,000.
So come out and join the action.
This is more than just racing—it’s family.
We’re Here to Help
Remember Pro-Fab Performance should be your first call when you’re needing those go-fast parts and accessories.
Give us a call at 606 233-5606 or order online at www.pro-fabperformance.com.